Vancouver’s #1 electric scooter shop and store. Proudly Canadian
Electric scooters and electric bikes are an incredibly efficient and eco-friendly mode of transportation, and have gained enormous popularity throughout metro Vancouver and all over Canada. However, ICBC insurance coverage and claims for either can be confusing.
It is essential to understand the rules that govern the vehicles, what insurance applies, and what can be claimed in the event of an accident or theft. This page provides in-depth guidance into regulations, ICBC claims, and coverage regarding electric scooters and e-bikes.
Electric bikes are not insured, licensed, or registered by ICBC (ICBC registration, licensing, and insurance). However, you may be eligible for insurance claims under certain circumstances such as damages or collisions. The following is a list of situations for what can or cannot be claimed or covered under ICBC:
Although ICBC does not insure electric bikes, if you are injured in a hit and run accident involving another vehicle, in most cases, the Enhanced Accident Benefits can provide recovery benefits and care for your injuries. Find out more ICBC hit and run information.
If you are injured in a crash involving a registered vehicle, you can be covered under the ICBC Enhanced Accident Benefits, even if you don’t insure a car with ICBC. The ICBC Enhanced Accident Benefit can cover medical expenses, income replacement benefits, items damaged, and more, regardless of who’s at fault. Read ICBC Enhanced Accident Benefit for accurate information on coverage relating to various collision scenarios.
Since ICBC does not insure, register, or license electric bikes, ICBC does not cover the theft of electric bikes. However, you can get coverage for your electric bike through private insurers if you wish. (ICBC Electric Bike Insurance)
If you have been involved in a crash and want to make a claim through ICBC, follow the easy steps: ICBC report a claim. These steps require you to identify yourself and the situation given the known circumstances. It’s important to remember to act quickly if you are reporting a claim; after the accident, you should notify ICBC within 24-48 hours of the incident.
The first step for any incident is first to report it with ICBC through ICBC make a claim. After following the steps required, ICBC may require an estimate for the cost of damages attained in the accident. Since ICBC doesn’t provide this service, you would need to get an estimate for the damage from a professional electric scooter centre.
In cases where ICBC may require a damage estimate, the professional service centre would examine the damages on the vehicle and provide this amount to ICBC. Then, it’s up to ICBC to consider how much you can get reimbursed for the damages. In cases where the scooter damage may be a ride-off, ICBC would consider the current market price of the scooter for reimbursement and not the original purchase price.
To make a claim, we recommend having the following prepared:
Electric scooters also fall into the same category as electric bikes regarding insurance with ICBC. ICBC does not insure, register, or license electric scooters. However, in certain situations, riders can be eligible for specific claims, such as a crash where a vehicle is at fault, the rider could get compensation for the damages on the electric scooter under the driver’s insurance.
The same rules apply to the electric bike regarding damage compensation through an ICBC claim.
Insurance or even a license is not required to operate an electric scooter, but you must be 16 years or older and follow all rules set by your province and participating community. These rules can include which roads are safe to ride on and wearing a helmet while riding.
Electric scooters can be operated on roads that are participating in the communities included in B.C.’s electric kick scooter pilot project. For more information, refer to Electric Kick Scooter Pilot Project.
Although ICBC insurance for electric bikes and electric scooters is not available, if you are involved in an accident, you may be eligible to get compensation for damages or cover other costs such as medical and employment income in certain situations. It is important to visit ICBC Website for up-to-date information, and to act quickly if you are involved in an accident and looking to make a claim.
Other topics
No, you do not need a license or insurance to operate an electric scooter. You need to be 16 years or older and wear a bicycle helmet while riding.
No, insurance is not required to operate an electric bike.
Yes, all DUI rules apply to all sorts of motorized vehicles.